Dalits denied pattas, driven out: Study

CHENNAI: A study conducted by the Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front (TNUEF) has revealed that families belonging to Scheduled Castes in Chennai have been struggling for the past several decades to get pattas for their lands.

The report on the field study done in 31 localities in Chennai between September and October was released on Wednesday by TNUEF president P Sampath and general secretary K Samuelraj. Denial of patta was a primary problem faced by them, the report stated.  Their demand  for pattas has not yielded results despite struggling for the past half-a-century. They have been fighting for pattas in many areas, including Kumarasami Rajapuram and M S Nagar in Egmore, Korukkupet, Sikkanderpalayam, Perambur, Mettupalayam, Kolathur SRP Colony and Dharmapuram.

Under the guise of removing encroachments, the oppressed people were being driven out of their traditional residential areas. Also, the benefits of urbanisation have not reached them. There were no adequate toilet facilities forcing them to defecate in the open, the report stated.  The facilities in the hostels meant for Scheduled Caste students too were appalling.

Dalits were being driven out of places where they had traditionally lived. They were being forced to live in tenements of just 120 sq ft size in new residential areas in Sholinganullur and Semmancherry, the report pointed out.